Chapter 5

Areli turned away from the window and walked toward the massive glass desk in the center of the office.

She sat down in the leather chair and opened the encrypted laptop resting on the desk.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, black USB drive. She pushed it into the side port of the computer.

Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard. She opened a hidden backup file containing the security footage from the penthouse.

She found the exact timestamp from the night of their anniversary. She clipped the high-definition video showing Holli faking her panic attack.

She opened a secure browser. She routed her connection through multiple overseas VPN servers to ensure the IP address could not be traced. She created a blank, anonymous email.

She dragged the video file into the attachment box. She typed in Courtland's private email address and hit send.

She pulled the USB drive out of the computer. She closed the browser and opened the quarterly financial reports for Aura Entertainment.

A sharp knock sounded at the door. Donovan walked in, carrying three thick manila folders. He placed them carefully on her desk.

Areli opened the folders. Her eyes scanned the pages rapidly, taking in the numbers. She tapped her index finger against the paper, pointing to three specific names of senior executives who were clearly embezzling funds.

"These three are the exact ones my father distrusted the most," Areli said, her voice cold and flat. "It seems his instincts were entirely correct." She closed the heavy folders and pushed them toward the edge of the desk. "Initiate the emergency removal protocols immediately. I have full authorization from the board of directors. Have the legal department and the internal security team move in simultaneously. Freeze all of their corporate access, lock down their servers, and clear out their offices in ten minutes."

Donovan's eyes widened. He was stunned by how fast and brutal she was. He nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Stephenson," he said, turning to leave.

At the exact same time, inside the Roman Group headquarters, Courtland's phone buzzed on his desk.

Courtland rubbed his tired eyes. He picked up the phone and saw an email from an unknown sender with no subject line. He tapped the screen to open it.

The video started playing immediately. The high-definition camera captured every detail of the penthouse living room.

Courtland watched as Holli fell to the floor. He saw her face clearly. He saw her eyes dart toward him to make sure he was watching.

His chest tightened. The breath caught in his throat. He saw Holli's lips curl up into that cold, calculating smirk while he was yelling at Areli.

A heavy block of ice settled in Courtland's stomach. The realization hit him physically. Areli had been telling the truth.

The heavy wooden door of his office suddenly pushed open. Holli walked in. Her eyes were red, and she was dabbing at her face with a tissue.

Courtland reacted instinctively. He flipped his phone over, slamming the screen face-down onto the desk to hide the video.

Holli walked over to him. "The internet trolls are attacking me again," she cried, her voice trembling. "I feel so unsafe, Courtland."

Courtland looked at her tears. For the first time, a wave of physical nausea washed over him. He felt sick to his stomach.

He stared at her crying face, his mind spiraling into a chaotic mess. How could Holli deceive him like that? Was it possible that Areli had somehow doctored the footage? No, the security system was encrypted, the timestamp undeniable. A sharp ache throbbed in his temples as he closed his eyes. He desperately forced his mind to picture the dark, damp basement from his childhood. He pictured the little girl who had saved him, the cool metal of the necklace she wore. That memory was his only anchor, the absolute truth he had built his life around. He would rather believe his own eyes were failing him than accept that his childhood savior was a manipulative liar. He had to do something to reinforce his crumbling reality, something to prove to himself that she was still the pure girl from his past.

He took a deep breath. "It will be fine," Courtland said. His voice was stiff, lacking any real warmth.

He needed to fix this feeling of losing control. He decided to buy Holli the biggest movie role in the industry as a desperate attempt to solidify his own faith in her.

Courtland pressed the intercom button on his desk. "Marcus, get in here."

Marcus hurried into the room.

"Contact Aura Entertainment," Courtland ordered. "Tell them we want to buy the lead actress role in their upcoming S-tier project for Holli."

Marcus hesitated. He shifted his weight nervously. "Sir, Aura just got a new CEO. She is extremely secretive and very aggressive."

Marcus swallowed hard. "This 'Miss Stephenson' has already rejected investment offers from three major syndicates this week."

Courtland let out a harsh, arrogant laugh. He leaned back in his chair.

"Everyone has a price, Marcus," Courtland said coldly. "Double our standard offer and send it directly to her office."

Marcus nodded slowly. "Yes, sir," he said, knowing the email he was about to send was a terrible idea.